
Just two days before, the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats square off in the East Final with a Grey Cup berth at stake. The CFL has sent home Argos starting QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson for what is being characterized as a violation of COVID protocols. McLeod Bethel Thompson attended last night’s Toronto Raptors game with his daughter Aziza.
McLeod's daughter wants the mic đź—Ł@TorontoArgos pic.twitter.com/HJhll9sdDW
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 3, 2021
TSN’s Dave Naylor first reported the developing story this morning.
Hearing @TorontoArgos QB MacLeod Bethel-Thompson has been sent home and is being held out of practice today because of attending the @Raptors game at his team’s request. It’s a violation of CFL Covid protocol, which states he must now quarantine 4 days. Game day is Sunday.#CFL
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) December 3, 2021
The Argos are two days away from playing the East Final this Sunday at BMO Field in front of their biggest crowd of the season. Ironically, McLeod Bethel-Thompson was at the Raptors game to help promote the team. And help boost awareness for the CFL and the Argonauts. Facing the biggest game of the career, although details are still developing. It appears that Thompson will be out Sunday with Antonio Pipkin stepping in on short notice against Hamilton.
The Argos are outdoors practicing today at Downsview Park. In preparation for what could be a stormy day on Sunday with a mix of snow and rain in the early forecast. There’s no doubt that McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s potential exclusion from Sunday’s game puts a dark cloud over the entire CFL and could leave a black mark on the league moving forward.
Just arrived at #Argos practice. McLeod Bethel-Thompson is not here and Antonio Pipkin is taking reps with the starters. #CFL
— David Morassutti (@d_morassutti) December 3, 2021
It’s worth noting that earlier this season, due to MLSE’s strict COVID protocols and guidelines. Defensive Coordinator Glen Young and defensive backs coach Joshua Bell departed the Argos due to vaccination requirements.
This year, the Argos also had a game rescheduled due to a COVID outbreak on the Edmonton Elks. It’s difficult at this time to lay blame on the parties involved for what is a disastrous development for not only Double Blue but for the credibility of the entire CFL.
Early reports are that McLeod Bethel-Thompson attended the Raptors game at a request by his team. If that’s the case, then the player has no fault whatsoever, regardless of his vaccination status. But it will be Bethel-Thompson punished for doing what was best for the CFL and the Argos. And the long-term ramifications of Thompson’s exclusion in the East championship game will do even more damage to a beleaguered league like the CFL.
Honestly, whoever is choosing to enforce the letter-of-the-law on this Bethel-Thompson trash should be fired.
— Danny Austin (@DannyAustin_9) December 3, 2021
Stupid rules don’t need to be enforced. There will be a dark cloud that hangs over the league for a long time because of this.
Fire the person responsible.
I am hesitant to have a knee jerk reaction because more details need to come out. But if the player is not at fault here. This would be a black mark on the entire CFL and this season if McLeod Bethel-Thompson is forced to miss the biggest game of his career. https://t.co/GFzfQlH1Ri
— Mike Mitchell (@ByMikeMitchell) December 3, 2021
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